October 2025 Newsletter

The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.   ~George Bernard Shaw

Life Skills and Growing Independence

In September, participants came together through Life Skills and Social Skills to prepare for a picnic at Colonial Park. Planning began weeks in advance as each group sat down with our activities team to decide on the games they wanted to bring. Badminton, catch-and-toss, and frisbees were all chosen to make the day more enjoyable and to share with friends once they arrived at the park.

Preparation also included creating menus for bagged lunches. Sandwich choices of peanut butter and jelly, cheese, and chicken salad were selected, along with fruit cups, water, juice, and oatmeal cookies. With a budget in hand, participants shopped for items on their lists, practicing both money management and decision-making skills with guidance from the food program our center follows. The week before the outing, paper bags were labeled, decorated, and packed with dry goods, setting the stage for the final step of making their own sandwiches on picnic day.

When the trip finally arrived, the sunshine welcomed the groups to Colonial Park. Participants explored the Rose and Perennial Gardens, admired the colorful flowers, and enjoyed time on the playground and in the open fields. Games were played, lunches were shared, and the joy of the day reflected all the planning, teamwork, and effort that had gone into making it happen.  The Colonial Park picnic was a highlight of September, celebrating independence, social connection, and fun!

Self Expression Through Creativity

In September, participants brought their creativity to life through a vibrant Artist Study activity inspired by the Virtual Art Room on Instagram, called Landscape Impressions. The session began with time to observe the original work and notice the use of colors, shapes, and overall style. From there, participants selected their own materials—such as colored pencils, markers, stickers, and paint—to bring their ideas to life.

Some participants chose to stay close to the original artwork, while others made bold personal choices with new patterns, bright colors, and additional art supplies like graphic tape. The activity encouraged planning, sequencing, and decision-making as each person worked out how to begin and how to complete their own version.  At the end of the session, everyone displayed their work, and the room was filled with unique pieces that reflected both inspiration from the original and the individual vision of each participant.

Physical and Mental Health and Wellbeing

In September, participants filled the auditorium with energy and excitement during a special group dancing session that quickly became one of the best we’ve ever had. The activity featured a lively lineup of songs, beginning with Dancing in September by Earth, Wind & Fire, and continuing through favorites like Uptown Funk, I Gotta Feeling, YMCA, Waka Waka, Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae), The Jerusalema Dance, Happy, Macarena, and many more.

As the music played, participants followed along with staff and video guides, practicing listening skills, coordination, and gross motor movement. What made the day even more memorable was the way everyone added their own personal twists to each dance. Some clapped, some spun, and others improvised new moves that made their groups laugh and cheer. The room was full of smiles and positive energy, with participants encouraging one another and celebrating each song together. Dance, Dance, Dance was a wonderful example of how music and movement can bring people together while also supporting health, wellness, and self-expression!

Leisure and Recreation

Next up, participants had the chance to learn the game of Shuffleboard as part of our Hobbies, Recreation, & Leisure activities. On the first day, the session began with a Google Slides presentation that introduced the equipment and basic rules. Everyone learned the names of the game pieces, including the “biscuit” and the “tang,” before moving into practice. The practice unfolded step by step. Participants first worked on the arm follow-through while sitting, then while standing, and finally by adding a step to connect the motion to bowling skills many were already familiar with. Next, they practiced pushing the biscuit through two cones, combining both the step and the follow-through. This approach gave everyone the chance to build confidence and notice their progress at each stage.  The groups also explored two different ways to play. One version used the traditional floor style, where participants pushed the biscuit across the ground with a shuffleboard stick. The second version was set up on a tabletop, where smaller biscuits could be pushed more easily for everyone to try. Both versions allowed participants to build coordination, accuracy, and patience while enjoying the challenge of a new game.  The activity was filled with focus, encouragement, and laughter as each person practiced their skills and celebrated successful shots. Shuffleboard quickly became a favorite and a fun new addition to our recreation activities!

Community Corner

Community Outings: 

In September, participants explored a variety of exciting locations during their community outings. Some groups visited Davidson Mill Pond Park, Bicentennial Park, and Colonial Park, where they enjoyed open fields, nature trails, and fresh air. These park visits offered opportunities to stay active, play games, and spend time together outdoors.

Other groups spent time at the South Brunswick Library and Barnes & Noble in East Brunswick, which provided quiet spaces to read, browse, and relax while building comfort in community settings. Outings also included a special shopping trip, where participants practiced decision-making and money management by creating grocery lists and choosing between Aldi and ShopRite.  Each outing supported independence, social growth, and a stronger connection to the community.

Lunch Outings:

September also featured a delicious variety of lunch outings that gave participants opportunities to practice social and daily living skills in real-world settings. Groups visited Freddy’s, QDOBA, McDonald’s, and Chick-fil-A, where they ordered meals, interacted with staff, and shared time together at the table. The month ended with team-choice outings, which brought groups to Cava, Applebee’s, and Scotto’s Pizza in East Windsor. Each lunch outing helped participants build confidence in making choices, managing money, and enjoying meals with friends.

Special Events:

We celebrated all of our September birthdays on the last Friday of the month. Each participant with a birthday was invited to the front of the auditorium as their name was called, and we sang Happy Birthday together for those who wanted to join in.

While we truly appreciate when families and friends offer to bring sweet treats, we are not able to include them due to dietary restrictions. That’s okay—because the sweetest part of all is celebrating with friends, enjoying pizza together for lunch, and making sure every birthday feels special. At Dawn to Dusk, birthdays are taken seriously. We love giving each participant their moment to shine, and this month’s celebration was full of laughter, smiles, and lots of love.

If you have any questions or suggestions about the Day Program, please contact maureen@dawntoduskwellbeing.com  

Photo Gallery

Enjoy some special moments and smiles in our photo gallery here.